FIFA approved tougher penalties for racist behavior , including possible relegation , in a move that one anti-racism organization said will bring soccer `` in line '' with other sports .

The sanctions , FIFA revealed at its congress in Mauritius on Friday , come in two stages . They were initiated at a time when incidents of racism continue to make headlines around the world and several months after FIFA set up an anti-racism task force .

Punishments for first offenses bring a warning , fine or clubs being forced to play games in empty stadiums . A second offense , or one deemed `` serious , '' could result in demotion , a deduction of points or expulsion from a tournament .

Soccer 's global governing body also said that any individual committing a racist infraction should be suspended for at least five matches .

It 's now up to FIFA 's member associations , who number more than 200 , to implement the new punishments . Only one member -- it was n't known which one -- voted against the measures .

`` There have been despicable events this year that have cast a long shadow over football and the rest of society , '' FIFA president Sepp Blatter said . `` I am speaking of the politics of hate -- racism , ignorance , discrimination , intolerance , small-minded prejudice , that uncivilized , immoral and self-destructive force that we all detest . ''

Kevin-Prince Boateng of A.C. Milan walked off in protest when he was racially abused during a friendly in January , and Greece 's football federation banned AEK Athens ' Giorgos Katidis for five games in April and fined him for a Nazi-style goal celebration .

Kick It Out , the anti-racist body , welcomed Friday 's development .

`` It is something the organization has been campaigning on , and stricter punishments for discrimination more generally , for many years , '' chair Lord Herman Ouseley said on Kick It Out 's Web site . `` We hope to see the practical implications of this ruling .

`` FIFA is setting an example to bring football in line with other sports which do n't have problems around discrimination and unacceptable behavior . ''

Meanwhile , FIFA announced three women would take their place on the executive committee , which votes , for instance , on where the World Cup is held .

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FIFA takes a tougher stance on racist behavior , as one punishment could be relegation

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Teams could also be thrown out of a tournament or deducted points

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Players face a minimum suspension of five games for committing a racist infraction